Q: Hey, Mary: I do know that the Cavs have the rights to swap first-round picks with L.A. next year as part of the [Ramon] Sessions trade from earlier this year, but I was wondering, does this apply to our own draft picks? Given the recent collapse of the L.A. Lakers in the playoffs and the likelihood that they may begin a rebuild (relatively speaking, considering it's L.A.), I wonder if we are able to trade our potential pick from Miami (which is likely to be a low first-round pick) for L.A.'s pick, which could potentially be a mid-first-rounder. -- Fade Eadeh, St. Louis

A: Hey, Fade: First, let me congratulate you on your attention to detail, as this slipped by most fans. The swap only involves the Miami pick and can only be done next year. But, given your scenario, you are right. The Cavs might be able to improve 10 or more slots, depending on how the Lakers and Heat finish, so it could turn out to be a key part of the Sessions trade, especially since they might have lost Sessions to free agency and gotten nothing in return.

Q: Hey, Mary: I can't imagine the Cavs wanting to bring in four rookies next year. With the 24th, 33rd and 34th picks (I think that's right), are the Cavs likely to trade up? If so, what teams would make this trade?

-- James Arnold, Oxford, Ohio

A: Hey, James: I tend to agree with you, and one reason the Cavs like to acquire assets such as these are to be able to package them to make deals. In addition to trying to use them to move up, there are also teams such as New York or the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers that don't have a first-round pick and might be interested in parting with a player for a pick or two. Of course, as the Cavs showed last year, they don't mind drafting a player knowing he will continue to play overseas for a while. So right now, I think the Cavs, and most NBA teams, are looking at all their options.

Q: Hey, Mary: I was wondering about how high the Cavs could trade up with their second first-round and two second-round picks. If we could add [Bradley] Beal and Perry Jones and somehow add a center in free agency like Brook Lopez, I think we'd be deep enough to hit the playoffs. What do you think?

-- Eddie Miller, Bedford Heights

A: Hey, Eddie: I don't think those picks will allow the Cavs to move high enough to get two players projected to be taken in the top 10, and I don't see the Cavs pursuing a big free agent such as Lopez.

Q: Hey, Mary: Do you think that Dan Gilbert should offer coach [Byron] Scott a contract extension [considering] the Lakers' early exit from the playoffs? I know the Lakers job was Byron's dream gig, and Magic Johnson has already mentioned that Mike Brown was in danger of losing his head-coaching job. -- Dennis Stallworth, University Heights

A: Hey, Dennis: The Cavs are very happy with Scott's leadership and development of their young core, but he's already under contract and no other team can pursue him when he's under contract. Since Johnson's observation, the Lakers have taken steps to assure Mike Brown and his agent that his job isn't in jeopardy.

Q: Hey, Mary: What do you think of this trade? The Cavs trade Daniel Gibson, Luke Walton, a second-round pick and Andy [Varejao] for Amar'e Stoudemire. The Knicks get some cap space after a year, the Cavs get a proven scorer. It does not hurt our cap situation, and we are about the only team that could take on Stoudemire. Both Amar and Andy have injury risks. I think it is a win for both teams. -- William Reinke, Keene, Texas

A: Hey, William: I'm not sure Knicks fans would count that as a win. I know it's a popular theory, but I still don't think the Cavs want to trade Varejao.